First Class and First Exclusive are separate booking categories at Excel Chauffeurs. First Class includes a Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7 Series and starts at £90 per hour; First Exclusive is listed for the Mercedes S500 or S580 and starts at £102 per hour. Both rates include VAT and have a four-hour minimum. Requesting an S-Class does not automatically select First Exclusive or guarantee a particular model. This guide explains the differences to confirm before you book. For vehicle details and an enquiry, visit our Mercedes S-Class chauffeur service.
All figures in this table include VAT and are published starting prices or minimum charges. The Heathrow reference is a one-way transfer to Hyde Park Corner, not a fixed fare to every address in central London. Applicable airport parking, drop-off fees and Congestion Charge are added to the starting fare and shown in your quote. Other addresses and itineraries are quoted separately.
For a four-hour London booking, the starting totals are £360 for First Class and £408 for First Exclusive: a £48 difference. For an eight-hour Greater London day, the difference is £96 (£672 versus £768). Compare the total that matches your itinerary rather than multiplying an hourly rate across a different booking type.
London hourly hire includes 20 miles for the four-hour minimum and 10 miles per additional hour. The London day rate includes eight hours and 60 miles. The London one-way minimum covers the first five miles. For current inclusions and the quote for your route, see our chauffeur price list.
Which S-Class booking category suits your journey?
Choose First Class if you want to request an S-Class at the First Class tariff and are ready to confirm the available model with the team. The category also includes the BMW 7 Series. Choose First Exclusive if you want to enquire specifically about the S500 or S580 category. Neither choice guarantees every cabin feature: equipment, seating configuration and model availability need to be checked for your date. First Class is listed for up to four passengers; First Exclusive for up to three. These class limits are not a promise that every combination of passengers and luggage will fit. Share your party size, cases and any child-seat requirements before choosing.First Class vs First Exclusive: compare the total booking cost
| Class | Listed vehicles | Hourly, 4-hour minimum | Heathrow → Hyde Park Corner, from | Greater London day, 8 hours / 60 miles | London one-way minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Class | Mercedes S-Class LWB or BMW 7 Series LWB | £90 (£360 minimum) | £180 | £672 | £150 |
| First Exclusive | Mercedes S500 or S580 LWB | £102 (£408 minimum) | £220 | £768 | £180 |
What to confirm before choosing your car
- Category and model: specify First Class or First Exclusive and your preferred model. Ask what can be confirmed for the travel date and how any alternative would be agreed.
- Passengers and luggage: provide the number and size of all cases, carry-ons and bulky items. Tell us about children, child seats or assistance needs so the configuration can be checked.
- Cabin features: ask about the equipment that matters to you, such as rear-seat adjustment, privacy glass, connectivity or a particular charging connection. Features vary between cars and model years.
- Included service: confirm the pickup, destination, stops, booked hours, mileage and waiting allowance. For a commercial-flight arrival, check the meeting instructions and flight details.
- Total price: review the VAT-inclusive quote and applicable charges. Extra waiting, stops or changes to the agreed itinerary may affect the price.
- Booking terms: check cancellation conditions and the eligibility and exclusions in the written On-Time Guarantee.
Match the booking type to your itinerary
Airport collections
For a commercial-flight collection, 60 minutes of complimentary waiting starts after landing. Flight monitoring and a name-board meeting in arrivals are included. Contact us if immigration or baggage reclaim is taking longer; additional waiting may be charged. See our Heathrow chauffeur guide and airport service for collection planning. Private-jet and train-station collections include 30 minutes of complimentary waiting. They cannot always be monitored, so please update the team about delays or arrival changes and confirm the pickup arrangements. Airport terminal VIP assistance is a separate request; booking an S-Class does not itself include that service.Business days in London
For several meetings, compare hourly hire with the Greater London daily option. Provide the addresses, meeting times and whether you need the vehicle between stops. Confirm any extension with the team. Approved corporate accounts can arrange invoicing on agreed terms; see business chauffeur services.Weddings, dinners and events
Decide whether you need a one-way transfer, a separately timed return or a chauffeur retained for an agreed period. Event waiting is not unlimited or automatically included in a transfer fare. Send the venue, arrival time, passenger details and planned finish time so event transport can be quoted around your plans.Trips outside Greater London
London day rates do not apply to an out-of-town itinerary. Published First Class out-of-town hire starts at £120 per hour with an eight-hour minimum (£960); First Exclusive starts at £132 per hour with the same minimum (£1,056). Both include VAT and 150 miles, with 25 miles included per additional hour. Confirm the total time, mileage and any applicable charges for trips such as Oxford, Cambridge, the Cotswolds or a country-house stay.When another vehicle class may fit better
If your group or luggage does not suit a saloon, ask about the Mercedes V-Class, listed for up to six passengers. The Mercedes E-Class offers an Executive saloon option. For either, have the team confirm passengers and luggage together. Our prices page compares the current classes and booking minimums.Questions about First Class and First Exclusive
Does First Class guarantee a Mercedes S-Class?
First Class includes the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series. Tell us if an S-Class is essential and ask what can be confirmed before accepting your quote. A general First Class booking is not the same as a confirmed model request.Does an S500 or S580 have every luxury feature?
No single equipment list should be assumed for every car. Rear-seat features, entertainment and connections depend on the individual vehicle and model year. Describe the features you need so the team can check the proposed car before you book.How many passengers can each category carry?
The published First Class limit is up to four passengers, while First Exclusive is up to three. Luggage size, child seats and the available vehicle configuration matter too. Confirm your full party and luggage requirements with the team instead of relying only on the passenger limit.What is the minimum hourly booking cost?
For hire within Greater London, four hours starts at £360 in First Class or £408 in First Exclusive, including VAT. A shorter hourly requirement is still subject to that four-hour minimum. If you only need an A-to-B journey, ask for a one-way quote instead. Out-of-town hourly hire has an eight-hour minimum.Which guarantee and cancellation terms apply?
Read the terms supplied with your quote and the published On-Time Guarantee, including eligibility, exclusions and what to do if there is a delay. Contact the team for clarification before confirming your booking; this comparison does not replace those terms.Confirm your S-Class preference and quote
Use the Mercedes S-Class service page to explore the car, then send your date, route, category preference, passengers, luggage and any essential features. Request your journey through the online booking page, call 0204 515 4441 or WhatsApp +44 7383 009 099 so the team can confirm availability and your quote.More from Excel Chauffeurs: chauffeur by the hour · chauffeur for the day · Heathrow transfers · private chauffeur · wedding chauffeur · corporate accounts · areas we cover · prices.
